Diversifying the shooting characteristics of shotguns

ABSTRACT

Simulating, with a standard gauge shotgun, the shooting characteristics of a smaller gauge shotgun by using a shotshell whose case fits the chamber of the standard gauge gun, but whose propellant charge, shot charge, priming and confinement are coordinated to produce ballistic results resembling those of the smaller gauge gun, and the shot charge is circumferentially surrounded by a bushing whose outside diameter corresponds with the standard gauge, and whose inside diameter corresponds with the smaller gauge.

United States Patent [191 Weston, Jr.

[ 1March 20, 1973 1 DIVERSIFYING THE SHOOTING CHARACTERISTICS OF SHOTGUNS [76] Inventor: Charles N. Weston, Jr., 105 Ruth Drive, Florissant, Mo. 63031 22 Filed: April 13, 1970 21 App1.No.: 27,708

[52] U.S. Cl. ..102/42 C, 102/95 W [51] Int. ('il... ..F42b 7/08 [58] Field of Search ..102/42 C, 42, 41

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,759,420 8/1956 Schultz 102/42 C 3,026,801 3/1962 Oberfell ..102/42 3,099,958 8/1963 Daubenspeck et a1 102/42 C 3,190,220 6/1965 Jones et al. ..102/42 C 3,208,382 9/1965 Foote et a1 ..10 2/42 C 3,262,392 7/1966 Becker et al ..102/42 C 3,285,174 11/1966 Moehlman et a1. ..102/42 C 3,289,586 12/1966 Horn et a1 ..102/42 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,474,070 2/1967 France ..102/42 C 683,690 2/1965 Italy ..102/42 C Primary Examiner-Robert F. Stahl Att0rney-Paul M. Denk [5 7] ABSTRACT Simulating, with a standard gauge shotgun, the'shooting characteristics of a smaller gauge shotgun by using a shotshell whose case fits the chamber of the standard gauge gun, but whose propellant charge, shot charge, priming and confinement are coordinated to produce ballistic results resembling those of the smaller gauge gun, and the shot charge is circumferentially surrounded by a bushing whose outside diameter corresponds with the standard gauge, and whose inside diameter corresponds with the smaller gauge.

13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIEUMARZO I973 3.721.194

SHEET 2 OF 2 CHARLEE N. WEGTON, JR.

DIVERSIFYING THE SHOOTING CHARACTERISTICS OF SHOTGUNS The invention relates to sporting ammunition, and particularly to shotshells and components thereof which enhance the versatility, in shooting characteristics, of a standard gauge piece.

It has been reported that there are more 12 gauge shotguns than the sum of all gauges. Relatively few adult male sportsmen, who own but one scatter gun, do not have the 12 gauge. Its bore is the largest and its barrel the longest among the standard gauges. Hence, its dead weight is the greatest. As it accommodates standard ammunition which produces the highest velocity of shot charge, it must withstand the highest breech pressures, and hence it produces maximum recoil. These factors militate against use of the 12 gauge gun by amateurs, women, and youth, but where there is only one gun in a family, and it is a 12 gauge, the women and adolescent beginners are frequently discouraged by their inability to cope with the only piece available to them.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide ammunition for a 12 gauge shotgun which will render its use less disagreeable to beginners, women and youth.

A further and broader object of the invention is to provide sporting ammunition which, in a shotgun of standard gauge, will have shooting characteristics comparable to those of a smaller gauge piece.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to shooters and to persons skilled in the ammunition art as the description proceeds.

Generally stated, the invention involves loading a given standard gauge shotshell with a shot charge whose column diameter is substantially less than that of the bore of the given standard gauge piece; and appropriately coordinating the propellant charge and other variables to simulate the ballistic and shooting characteristics of a piece whose bore diameter (standard gauge or otherwise) is equivalent to that of the desired shot column. In accordance with the invention, the diameter of the shot column is controlled by the inside diameter of a petaline bushing whose outside diameter is substantially the same as the given standard gauge. When confined with the shell or gun barrel of the given standard gauge, the inside diameter is between 0.56 and 0.92, or, more specifically and of greater practical importance, between 0.56 and 0.755 times its outside diameter; or, stated another way, the outside diameter of the bushing, while in the shell or in the gun barrel, is between 1.088 and 1.775, or, more specifically and of greater practical importance, between 1.185 and 1.32 times its inside diameter. The petaline bushing is preferably made of resilient plastic material, such as polyethylene or the like, of the general character disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,920,563, 2,986,998, and 3,208,382 and which is under stress such that, when free and unconfined, the tips of the petals, or at least some of them, diverge to an apparent outside diameter at least about 0.05 inch greater than the inside diameter of the shell tube in which it is to be used, or, stated in another way, the bore diameter of the piece in which it is to be tired. Alternatively, or in addition to the outward bias of the bushings petals, the leading end (i.e., the end addressed toward the muzzle of the piece in which the shell is to be fired) of the bushing may he chamfcred to gradually reduce its thickness to a minimum adjacent its outside diameter. Whether the bushings petals have an outward bias, or have their leading ends chamfered as aforesaid, the effect is to strip the bushing from the shot column after it has emerged from the confinement of the gun barrel, and has encountered air resistance while in flight.

Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a typical shotshell embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the petaline bushing shown in FIG. 1; a a

FIG. 3 is a diametrical sectional view, mostly in axial elevation, of the petaline bushing shown in FIG. 2, and showing the relationship of its parts when confined in a shell tube or in a gun barrel;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a two-ply petaline bushing suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, and having its trailing end closed;

FIG. 5 is a view comparable to FIG. 3, but showing the two-ply bushing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of petaline bushing usable in accordance with the present invention, and which has its trailing end closed and its petals undercut to expedite and facilitate the stripping of it from the shot column as it emerges from the muzzle of the piece which tired it;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the petaline bushing of FIG. 6 in the course of being stripped from a core on which it was molded;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single unit wad column and shot cup of a type known in the art, but which, with certain modifications or combinations to be described hereinafter, is suitable for use in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 8 in the course of being combined with a petaline bushing of the character shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the completed combination of parts shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view in end elevation of an unclosed shotshell provided with a petaline bushing of the character shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and in the proportions appropriate for use in a 12 gauge shotshell modified in accordance with the present invention to simulate the shooting characteristics of a 20 gauge gun;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11, but showing the proportions of the petaline bushing required for use in a 12 gauge shotshell with the shooting characteristics of a 28 gauge shell;

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIGS 11 and 12, but showing the petaline bushing of the character shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in proportions required for simulating the proportions ofa .410 gauge shell in a 12 gauge gun; and

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIGS. 11 and 12, but showing the petaline bushing of the character shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in proportions required for simulating the performance of a 20 gauge shell in a 12 gauge gun.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the general construction of the shell is generally comparable with that of conventional shells, in that it embodies a case comprising a tube 1, of paper or plastic, closed at one end by a base wad 2 and a metalic head 3, having a pocket into which a battery cup primer 4 is seated in the usual fashion. Inside the case, a charge of propellant powder 5 reposes adjacent the primer 4, and is confined by an overpowder wad 6 adjacent which there may be one or more filler wads 7 to complete the wad column. Between the wad column and the mouth of the case, a

charge of shot 8 reposes within a petaline bushing 9. In FIG. 1, the mouth of the shell is shown closed by a conventional folded crimp, which is the condition in which the shell is used, but it will be understood that while the several components are being loaded into the shell, the mouth thereof is open. It will be observed from FIG. 1 that, in contrast with the usual practice, the diameter of the shot column 8 is substantially less than the inside diameter of the tube 1, the difference being occupied by the thickness of the walls of bushing 9, which varies in accordance with the difference between the gauge of the piece whose chamber fits the outside contour of the shell and the gauge of the piece whose shooting characteristics are to be simulated.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the petaline bushing 9 is a tubular device having two open ends 10 and 11 addressed, respectively, toward the mouth of the tube 1 and toward the head 3 thereof, but, as will be explained later, mouth 1 1 may, if desired, be permanently closed as distinguished from being temporarily (while in the shell, and in the gun barrel) closed by the wad 7 behind it. The bushing in the embodiment shown has four slits l2, l3, l4 and 15, extending from the open end 10 thereof toward, but terminating short of, the end 11. These slits divide the tubular wall of the bushing into four petals 16, 17, 18 and 19. As manufactured, the bushing 9 may be stressed in a manner tending to cause at least some of the several petals to spring outwardly, thereby increasing the width of the separation between petals more at the end 10 than toward the end 11 for the purpose of causing the, as fired, composite projective (shot plus bushing) to shed its bushing after it has departed the gun barrel and encounters the resistance of air while in flight.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bushing 109 is a composite one, of two-ply construction with, its leading end 110 open, and its trailing end 111 closed on the outer ply as shown in FIG. 5, but, as shown, the inner ply 108 is open at both ends. Alternatively, both ends of each ply may be left open. Each ply of the bushing 109 is provided with four slits 1 l2, 1 13, 114 and 115 in the outer ply, and 112, 113', 114 and 115 in the inner ply. As in the previous embodiment, such slits extend from the open end 110 toward, but terminate short of, the end 111 of the outer ply, and, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, the slits in the inner ply are preferably circumferentially disaligned with the slits of the outer ply. The respective plies may be heat-sealed, or otherwise connected together adjacent end 111, or they may be left free for movement relative to each other. This construction has the advantage that the same outer ply may be used with a variety of performance simulations while the wall thickness of the inner ply 108 is varied, while maintaining its outer diameter constant, in order to adjust for the difference in the desired diameter of the shot column as between a 12 gauge shell loaded to simulate the performance of a .410 gauge piece at maximum thickness of inner ply 108, or to simulate the performance of a l6 gauge piece at minimum or zero wall thickness of inner ply 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 for an illustration of a modified form of the petaline bushing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will-be observed that the bushing 209 has its leading end 210 open, while its trailing end (which is to be addressed toward the wad column of the shell) 211 is closed. As in the previous embodiments, the bushing 209 has four axially extending slits 212, 213, 214 and 215, arranged in substantial quadrature with each other to sub-divide the bushing into four petals 216, 217, 218 and 219, which merge at the closed end 211. Moreover, at the inside of the closed end 211, the several petals are undercut as shown in dotted lines at 207, and as more clearly shown in FIG. 7, where the bushing 209 is in the process of being stripped from a core 206 on which it is molded. The core 206 has a flange 205 of greater diameter than the stem of the core, and consequently when the bushing is molded about such a core, the flange 205 forms a recess, or undercut, in about half the petal thickness of the bushing adjacent the closed end 211. This construction facilitates the spreading of the respective petals apart, as is desired when the bushing, with its contained shot column, has emerged from the muzzle of the piece in which the shell was fired, and has encountered the resistance of air, thereby stripping the bushing from the shot column.

Such stripping action may be facilitated in all embodiments by chamfering the tips of the petals, as shown at 40, and 240. While, as previously mentioned, it is desirable to build into the bushings a stress which tends to bias at least some of their petals apart, the chamfering of the tips of the petals renders such built-in stress optional, as long as the tips of the petals are free to yield radially outward upon encountering the resistance of air while in flight. While as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the chamfers 40 and 140 are conical (with the element seen in the section being rectilinear) such chamfers can, if desired, be conoidal (with the elements being curved).

The device shown in FIG. 8 is a single unit wad column and shot cup" constructed in accordance with the prior art which, with certain modifications or combinations to be described, may be adapted for use in accordance with the present invention. In the shot cup portion 30 of the device shown in FIG. 8, the side walls are petaline, and have a built-in stress which biases at least two of the four petals outwardly so that, upon emerging from the muzzle of the piece in which it is fired, the shot cup is stripped from the shot column upon encountering the resistance of air. The petals of the portion 30 of the device shown in FIG. 8 usually have a wall thickness ranging between 0.20 and 0.25 inch in thickness, as known in the prior art. To adapt such a single unit wad column and shot cup" for use in accordance with the present invention, the wall thickness of the petals must be increased, e.g., to 0.0285 for a simulating the shooting conditions of a 16 gauge piece with a 12 gauge shell, or to 0.1595 inch to simulate the shooting conditions of a .410 gauge piece with a 12 gauge shell. Alternatively, a petaline bushing, such as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and having a wall thickness appropriate for the simulation desired, may be inserted into the shot cup portion 30 of the device shown in FIG. 8, in the manner illustrated by FIG. 9, to produce a composite bushing which, in open end elevation, is shown in FIG. 10, and whose wall thickness is the sum of the petal thicknesses of 9 and 30.

In FIG. 11, there is shown a top and elevation of of 12 gauge shotshell in unclosed condition, and equipped with a two-ply petaline bushing 109 of the character shown in FIG. 4, constructed for simulating, in a 12 gauge piece, the shooting characteristics of a gauge shell. As the barrel of a 12 gauge piece has a bore diameter of 0.729 inch, the inside diameter of the tube 1 is 0.729 inch, while the outside diameter of the tube 1 is appropriate for mating with the chamber of the 12 gauge piece. Accordingly, the outside diameter of the outer ply of bushing 109 must be such as to be receivable within the inside diameter of tube 1, but this does not necessarily mean that, in its free and unconfined condition, at least some of the petals of said outer ply would not have an apparent diameter in excess of that value, provided, as previously mentioned, the petals are sufficiently flexible that, upon insertion into the tube 1, they are contractible to a diameter no greater than the inside diameter of tube 1 without causing the petals to overlap at the slits between them. The radial thickness of the outer ply 109 is not critical, save to the extent that the inside diameter thereof must be sufficiently less than the bore diameter of the 20 gauge piece (0.615 inch) to accommodate inner ply 108 of wall thickness such as to produce a composite bushing whose wall thickness does not exceed a value at which the inside diameter of the composite bushing will be 0.615 inch for simulation of the shooting characteristics of a 20 gauge gun. It will be understood, however, that for simulation of the shooting characteristics of smaller or larger gauge pieces, the wall thickness of the composite bushing 109-108 will be varied accordingly as set out In Table 1 hereinafter.

Fig. 12 shows an end elevation of a 12 gauge tube 1, equipped with a one-piece bushing of the character shown in Fig. 2, having a wall thickness appropriate for accommodating a shot column having a diameter approximately equal to the bore diameter (0.550 inch) of a 28 gauge piece.

Fig. 13 is a view comparable to FIGS. 11 and 12, but showing a 12 gauge tube 1, equipped with a bushing of the character shown in FIG. 6, whose wall thickness is such as to yield an inside diameter of the bushing equivalent to the bore diameter (0.410 inch) appropriate for simulating the shooting characteristics of a .410 gauge piece.

FIG. 14 is a view comparable to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, wherein the petaline bushing is of the character shown in FIG. 6, and has a wall thickness appropriate for accommodating a shot column having a diameter approximating the bore diameter (0.670 inch) of a 16 gauge piece, while the outside diameter of the bushing, as in previous embodiments, is equivalent to the bore diameter ofa 12 gauge piece.

In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 11-14, the inside axial dimension of the petaline bushing is regu lated in accordance with the magnitude of the shot charge, so as to provide a volume within the bushing sufficient to accommodate the whole of the (inch) shot charge within a shot column having the chosen diameter, as set out in the following table:

TABLE I Typical Dimensions of Bushing (Integral or Composite) for Adapting 12 Gauge Shell to Smaller Gauge Shot Column Smaller Gauge 26 28 .410 Outside Diameter (inch) 0.729 0.729 0.729 0.729 Inside Diameter (inch) 0.670 0.615 0.550 0.410 Wall Thickness (inch) 0.0295 0.057 0.089 0.159 Length (inch 0.781 0.781 1.00 1.00 Slope of Chamfer (degrees 50 45 45 40 off parallel with diameter) 7 Shot Charge (ounces) 1 1 "/a h In TABLE I, the Wall Thickness is exclusive of any chamfer at the leading end of the bushing, but includes the wall thickness of any conventional liner or shot cup" which may be used at the option of the loader, and includes the thickness of all components of other multi-ply or composite bushings; Length excludes the chamfer, and excludes the thickness of a closed end wall, if any, or any other filler which occupies space within the bushing; and the Shot Charge is stated for No. 9 chilled shot, it being understood that where other weights and sizes of shot may be used with appropriate adjustment in Length of the bushing to provide a shot chamber of volume sufficient to accommodate it at the chosen diameter of the shot column.

Illustrative examples of other typical components for loading a 12 gauge shell to simulate smaller gauge performance are set forth in the following table:

TABLE II Wad Case Primer Propellant Wedding pressure (p.s.i.)

16 Gauge Winches- Winches- Hercules Combination 50 ter A-A ter Red-Dot (Plastic Over- 12 Gauge No. 209 17 Grains Power cup (5/16 Thick Winchester Filler Winchester A-A Shot-Cup with liner 20 Gauge Winches- Winches- Winchester Winchester A-A 50 ter A-A ter AA 123 with liner 12 Gauge No. 209 16 Grains No. WAA 12 28 Gauge Winches- Winches Hercules Winchester A-A 50 ter AA ter Red-Dot with liner 12 Gauge No. 209 15 Grains No. WAA 12 Winches- Winches ,I-Iercules Combination 50 ter A-A ter Red-Dot (Plastic Over- 12 Gauge No. 209 15.5 Powder Cup Grains 5/16" Thick Winchester Filler Winchester A-A Shot-Cup with liner .4 l O Gauge Winches- Winches- Hercules Winchester A-A 50 ter A-A ter Red-Dot with liner 12 Gauge N0. 209 I4 Grains No. WAA l2 No.

Winches- Winches- Hercules Combination 50 ter A-A ter Red-lDot (Plastic Over- 12 Gauge No. 209 14.5 Grains Powder Cup (5/ l6" Thick Winchester Filler Winchester A-A Shot-Cup with liner In each example, the primer, the propellant charge, the shot charge and the wad pressure are coordinated to approximate the loading of the lesser gauge whose shooting characteristics are to be simulated. On the other hand, the case and the wad column (except as to length) are coordinated to approximate the requirements of the larger gauge in which the round is to be fired. The length of the wad column is q.s. to fill out the case. If a (presently out of style) top wad is used to close the mouth of the case, it must be of no greater diameter than the gauge of the piece in which the round is to be fired.

From the foregoing tables and description, it will be recognized by persons skilled in the art of leading shotshells, either industrially or by hand, that the fabrication of shells in accordance with the present invention involves the utilization of standard components, some of which are appropriate for the piece in which the round is to be fired, but others of which are appropriate in character and amount for a piece whose performance is being simulated, while the petaline bushing of the invention is introduced to compensate for the differences so the round will be. acceptable and fireable in the given piece, but the several changes will be of such magnitude and confinement that the round will behave in simulation to a round tired in a lesser gauge piece. While, to facilitate the disclosure, the 12 gauge has been arbitrarily selected as the piece in which the rounds are to be fired, it is to be understood that the principles of the invention are equally applicable to all other gauges, that is to say, a 16 gauge, may, according to the invention, be made to perform like a 20, 28 or .410 gauge. Moreover, the invention is not limited to diversifying the shooting characteristics of a standard gauge piece to resemble those of smaller, but standard, gauge ammunition because the invention lends itself to the fabrication, from standard components plus an appropriate bushing, of shells whose shooting characteristics may lie somewhere between the standard gauges.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

I. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 12 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge, or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 12 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell,

said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outside diameter of the component is between 1.088 and 1.775 times its inside diameter.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle-addressed end thereof.

4. The shot column constraining means of claim I in which said substantially cylindrical wall has its muzzleaddressed end tapered from a minimum thickness at its outside diameter to a maximum thickness at its inside diameter.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a pair of cylindrical members, one being inserted within the other, and wherein the outside diameter of said pair of members approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell, and the inside diameter of said pair of members approximates the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns.

6. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 10 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 10 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the in- 8. ln diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 16 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 16 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof.

10. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 20 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotguns which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 20 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof.

12. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 28 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 28 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun,

said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the in side diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof. 

1. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 12 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge, or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 12 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outside diameter of the component is between 1.088 and 1.775 times its inside diameter.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle-addressed end thereof.
 4. The shot column constraining means of claim 1 in which said substantially cylindrical wall has its muzzle-addressed end tapered from a minimum thickness at its outside diameter to a maximum thickness at its inside diameter.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a pair of cylindrical members, one being inserted within the other, and wherein the outside diameter of said pair of members approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell, and the inside diameter of said pair of members approximates the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns.
 6. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 10 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 10 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser gauge standard shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof.
 8. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 16 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 20 gauge, 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 16 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof.
 10. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 20 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a 28 gauge, .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotguns which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 20 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.
 11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending between its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof.
 12. In diversifying the shooting characteristics of a 28 gauge shotgun to resemble those of a .410 gauge or other lesser standard gauge shotgun which comprises, a shot column constraining component for use in a shotshell for said 28 gauge shotgun, said constraining component having a length approximating the distance between the shotshell wad and the crimped end of said shotshell, said component having a series of slits cut partially along its length to form a petaline figure, the edges of said component proximate each slit being maintained in contiguity within the shotshell and capable of spreading as when discharged from a shotgun, said component having a substantially cylindrical wall whose outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the shotshell into which it inserts, said component having an inside diameter approximating the inside diameter of a shotshell of one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns, the component designed for holding a charge of shot as normally disposed within the shotshell for one of said lesser standard gauge shotguns whereby upon firing the shooting characteristics of the shotgun assimilates the ballistics effects of said shotgun of lesser gauge.
 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the component has a chamfered edge extending betWeen its outside circumference and its inner circumference at the muzzle addressed end thereof. 